The proposal makes a fourth drunken driving offence a felony regardless of when it occurred. Currently, a fourth offence is a felony only if committed within five years of a third.

The legislation also increases the maximum prison sentence for fifth and sixth offences from three years to five. Maximum sentences for seventh, eighth and ninth offences increase from five years to seven and a half. The maximum sentence for a 10th or subsequent offence will rise from seven and a half years to a decade.

Walker signed the measure yesterday. He said the bill sends a message that Wisconsin is serious about drunken driving. Wisconsin remains the only state, however, that doesn't criminalize a first offence.